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The impact flux in the inner Solar System just after its formation is studied by looking at the highly siderophile element abundance of Vesta. Results show that leftover planetesimals from the terrestrial planet region have been the major impactor source, indicative of a skewed mass distribution in the primordial inner Solar System.
Basalt samples from the Moon gathered during the Apollo 17 mission hold information on the lunar magnetic field as it was 3.7 billion years ago. Its mean intensity was ~50 μT and its inclination 34 ± 10°. Such results suggest that the lunar dynamo was active at the time and was axially aligned and dipolar.
[C ii] 158 μm emission associated with a strong low-ionization absorber at z = 5.978 indicates a dark matter halo mass of around 4 × 1011 solar masses, one to two orders of magnitude more massive than typical values predicted from cosmological simulations.
Recent observations show that some galaxies exist that have already run out of fuel only a few billion years after the Big Bang, challenging the current view on how galaxies form and evolve in a cold dark-matter-dominated Universe.
The CONCERTO instrument paves the way to large field-of-view spectro-imagers operating at (sub-)millimetre wavelengths, write Instrument Scientist Alessandro Monfardini and Principal Investigator Guilaine Lagache.
Astronomers are used to advocating for (financial) support for their future endeavours, but how should they go about lobbying for support for issues such as the climate emergency? Join forces with those experienced in effecting policy change.
The standard model of terrestrial planet formation ignores the role of orbital migration of planetary embryos. A new scenario shows how migration may have sculpted the inner Solar System’s orbital architecture, as long as embryos converged towards about 1 au.
Astronomers are trusted voices in the communication of science; our community should resist inundating people with facts and figures but use its advantage to encourage the public to listen to climate change experts and encourage the need for urgent cross-sectoral systemic change.
As the world recovers from one global crisis, it must steel itself for the coming of a far greater one: the climate crisis. Astronomers and planetary scientists have roles to play as trusted scientific experts, but should seek partnerships with domain experts when venturing outside their areas of knowledge.
When do we stop an ongoing science project to make room for something new? Decision-making is a complex process, ranging from budgetary considerations and tension between ongoing projects, to progress assessments and allowance for novel science developments.
The climate crisis is no longer a prediction for the future, it is happening here and now. Astronomers have realized that they need to become part of the solution and are working towards reducing their own carbon footprint as well as communicating an astronomical perspective.
